Animal Angels

One summer day while talking with a neighbor, whom I affectionately call "Sister Mary," suddenly an adorable brown bunny emerged out of no where, and hopped very close to where we were standing outside.

What was so unusual about the bunny's sudden emergence was the fact that it lingered near us for quite some time. Both Sister Mary and I remarked how unusual it was for the bunny to be so close to us and linger near us for so long. In short, it seemed as if the bunny's lingering was purposeful.

Later on that evening, I received news that would forever change my life; I learned that my beloved 98 year-old grandmother was gravely ill and near death. When I learned from my stepmother and younger brother that my grandmother was dying, I was overcome with grief and guilt. Guilt in the sense that I was very close to my grandmother and had not been to visit her at the nursing home that she lived at for several weeks, and none of my family members told me she was gravely ill. I felt in some way that I had failed her, for she was the one person that loved me unconditionally.

As strange as it sounds, I knew God was speaking through the bunny that my neighbor and I encountered earlier that evening. As I pondered why the bunny was so unusually close to my neighbor and me, I realized that God was trying to send a message through the bunny, that someone near me was in trouble. That someone near me of course, was my grandmother Elsie.

A few days later after my grandmother's funeral, I saw the same adorable brown bunny. Seeing this bunny again gave me a sense of peace. It was as if God put this same adorable brown bunny in my pathway, to send a message that my grandmother was at peace and it was okay to move on with my life, guilt-free, for despite the fact that I did know that she was gravely ill and near death: she knew how much I loved her.

Two months later, God put another special animal in my life; a stray male cat whom I named Malachi. I named him after the prophet Malachi, which means "the message."

Malachi, like the adorable brown bunny, suddenly appeared in my life. Malachi's sudden appearance in my life, occurred at the right time, for I was still dealing with the death of my grandmother, and still felt very sad. Simply put, God placed Malachi in my life to fill a very needed voided and to convey yet another message: "Here is someone who needs your love and care and will also provide you with peace."

In short, instead of speaking through people to convey messages to me, God decided to speak through these precious little animal angels.

Care for Older Cats

Older cats get more sensitive to noise, are not as playful and are in general much less active. It does not mean that you should leave him alone and let him sleep all day!

An old cat still likes to interact with his humans: You should groom him, play with him without any excess of course, on a daily basis.

An aged cat's metabolism slows down and he will gain weight. Older cats become lethargic due to over weight. So, try to monitor his diet and keep him active if you can. Older cats fed dry kibble tend to have cleaner teeth, less gum disease and a better weight. If you switch food, make sure to introduce the new one slowly as it could upset your cat digestive system.

He will probably have muscle, joint, neck pain and arthritis. Feeding him from an elevated cat feeder will help with the pain, and it will be easier for him to reach the food itself as it will be elevated.
Keep water accessible at all time, as he needs to be kept hydrated.

Make sure that your cat has a warm comfortable bed on which to rest, as he will be spending more time sleeping. Ensure that he doesn't sleep on a cold floor. The cold will seep into his bones, which may be arthritic and will cause him pain and discomfort.

If possible, have a cat bed slightly raised off the floor, but not too high so he does not need to jump up to get on it.

Mobility is an important issue for older cats. You should have all he needs on the floor rather than on counters and furniture: His cat feeder or cat bowls, cat bed, and litter box should all be kept on the floor for easy access.

Keep his toys in a special place like a pet toy box so he knows where to find them when he feels like playing with them.

And more importantly, take him to the veterinarian for regular check-ups, and especially if his eating habits or behavior changes drastically.

It is not unusual for older cats older to show signs of confusion, disorientation, get trapped in corners, spacey, aimless wandering, less playful, more irritable as he gets older. In some cases, the problem is the brain itself. This is cognitive dysfunction syndrome or, simply, senility. A form of feline Alzheimer's disease.

With proper care, many cats live to be 15 to 18, even older.

Cats With Gingivitis - Causes and Natural Cures

Cats with gingivitis; it's a growing problem. It's also a common problem. It is generally a painful condition for your cat to have. Eating becomes a problem - your cat is hungry, but as chewing is painful, she may run away from the food.

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums. They become reddened, sore to touch and it can lead to loosening of the teeth. Gingivitis is very similar to stomatitis, which is technically an inflammation of the mouth.

Any inflammatory condition is deemed to be an infection, according to the medical and veterinary model.

This means that the first line of veterinary treatment is antibiotics. However, this does not address the cause of the inflammation, but simply the effect. This means that the condition is highly likely to return or simply not respond to treatment.

In addition, antibiotics are toxic to the system and lower the immune system, setting up further problems for the future.

The second line of treatment usually involves cortisone, which is a steroid. When steroids were first introduced, they were meant only for life and death situations, as the consequences are so dire. These dangers remain, despite the now common use of steroids for every condition that doesn't respond to milder treatment.

Steroids damage organs, reducing the life of the user. They can cause serious conditions such as autoimmune diseases and cushing's syndrome.

Again, the cause of the problem is not being addressed, so the condition may not respond or may return.

The ultimate veterinary treatment for cats with gingivitis is to have their teeth removed. Sometimes, all the teeth are removed. Not only is this draconian solution incredibly invasive and maiming to the cat, it usually is very expensive for you.

Even though this drastic treatment appears to sort out the problem, it still remains, as the cause has not been addressed.

The main (by a long way) cause of gingivitis in anyone is the diet. Despite the claims made by commercial cat food manufacturers, that they have the solution, the fact that this is a common and growing problem shows this to be untrue.

When you feed your cat a quality, natural diet, even if the cat is mature in years, the problem can disappear without any veterinary treatment at all. And if you start a kitten off on this diet, that can be a problem relegated to the past.

There are times when you do need to help your cat over this problem, such as if she has had extensive veterinary treatment. In these cases, homeopathic treatment offers you an excellent prognosis. But be warned that it is likely to return if you don't feed her a quality, natural diet.

It is easy to cure cats with gingivitis when you know the cause and some effective treatment which does not simply deal with the effects of the problem.

To find out more, click on the link below.

What You Should Feed Your Cat

Veterinarians say that cats can live up to 30 years on a natural diet, but most domestic cats only live for 14 to 18 years on average. Why is that? The difference has a lot to do with diet.

Dry cat food has been found by the American Veterinary Medical Association to be less nutritious than canned food. There are several major reasons why dry food is not as good for most cats:

1. The main, and sometimes only source of protein, is usually from animal by-products, which is not the best quality. These are the parts of dead animals considered unfit for human consumption such as feet, intestines, feathers, pieces of fur, egg shells, and sometimes even include organs from diseased animals.

2. They actually contain an insufficient amount of animal based protein most of the time compared to the vegetable protein content. Most dry cat food consists of vegetable based meal flavored with meat flavorings and it usually has a high gluten content. As with humans, there are many cats that are allergic to gluten.

3. Most dry cat foods contain too much starch, or carbohydrate. Cats are pure carnivores that do not need, nor thrive on, the excessive carbohydrate based formulas commercially available. The average dry food contains from 35% to 50% carbohydrates and some of the cheaper brands contain even higher levels. Cats simply have no dietary need for high carbohydrates and food with too much starch can actually be very detrimental to their health.

4. Cats sometime do not drink enough water to compensate for the lack of moisture in their dry food. Insufficient fluid from their food source can cause bladder infections and kidney stones. This is why it is so important to always serve fresh water with any form of dry cat food. Be careful not to give them milk once they have reached adulthood. Most cats become lactose intollerant as they age and milk gives them diarrhea. They may like it and drink it, but it has no nutritional value for them. It is better to use a milk substitute if they like the taste, such as Cat's Sip, or something similar.

5. Most brands of dry cat food use unhealthy preservatives such as BHT, BHA, and ethoxyguin to prolong shelf life. Generally, BHA is used to keep fats from turning rancid and it is also used as a yeast de-foaming agent. BHT also prevents oxidative rancidity of fats and is often used to preserve food odor, color, and flavor. Preservatives that prolong shelf life of a product are not healthy for any living creature.

6. Most dry cat food loses nutrient value due to the long cooking times used in their processing, and very high temperatures. Dry cat foods tend to be little more than non-nutritious, flavored bulk meal.

7. The dry food formulas that contain oils can often become rancid over time when stored on warehouse and supermarket shelves. Generally, most cats refuse to eat rancid food and it can make them ill.

8. Some dry cat foods often contain a life-threatening and extremely dangerous fungal toxin caused during transportation or storage, and this can poison your cat.

In the wild, a cat will eat high protein, high moisture foods, mostly from meat-based sources such as mice, moles, bats, rats, small birds, insects, worms, slugs, and small snakes. Only 3% to 5% of a cat's natural diet contains starch, or carbohydrate. On occasion, cats will eat grass because the enzymes aid in digestion and are a natural laxative. Overall, mice are the best form of food for cats because they have muscle meat, pre-digested stomach contents, calcium from the bones, and moisture from the fluids.

The next best form of food for domestic cats is canned or frozen food with a strong content of animal or fish protein, mostly from muscle meat, not organ meat, such as liver; nor from any animal by-products. Good quality canned cat food should not contain any "meal" or "grains" either. Fat, and some organ meats such as liver and heart, are good for flavoring, but they should not be the main ingredient. Never use any cat food that contains soy, wheat, corn, or yeast. If it does contain a grain, then rice is the safest for cats.

Although cats are carnivores, they can't survive purely on meat alone. Quality cat food should contain supplements such as oils, vitamins, and minerals. Cats should be fed fish at least once a week, such as canned tuna, cod, or salmon. Cats will also eat spam, ham, raw hamburger, hotdog wieners, and any form of beef, chicken, turkey, and most lunchmeats and cold-cuts. It is good to give your cat a treat once in awhile such as "Temptations", but don't let them make a meal out of them or demand them excessively. They are high calorie, dry snacks not intended for meal substitutes. When serving a canned meat, the patte kinds are generally the best because the cat will lick the gravy off the other varieties and leave the meat to spoil. When the cat doesn't eat it, the owner generally throws it out, which is very wasteful.

Cat Dental Health: 6 Steps to Healthy Teeth

Before becoming a cat owner most people don't give two seconds of thought to cat dental health. It is more likely for a dog to have bad breath, hence the term "dog breath", so we are more apt to pay attention to their dental health over our feline friends. For your cat to be healthy she needs clean, sharp teeth and healthy gums. Pay attention to your cat's dental health and follow the steps below for perfect feline pearly whites!

1) Smell your cat's breath. Cats are smaller animals so it can be difficult to smell their mouth from a few feet away, unlike dogs. The smell of her breath should not be offensive, if it is, she may have gum problems that should be looked at by a veterinarian. Stinky breath can also signal digestive problems.

2) Check gums thoroughly. At the same time that you check her breath, you can check her gums too. You will have to gently push the lips back to get the best view. The gums should be firm and pink and white; red colors and swelling can pinpoint dental problems.

3) Know the symptoms of mouth problems. Your cat's teeth should be clean and free from brownish tartar, and none should be loose or broken. Watch for any of the following signs that could indicate problems in her mouth:

• Dark red lines along the gums
• Red and swollen gums
• Ulcers on gums or tongue
• Loose teeth
• Difficulty chewing food
• Excessive drooling
• Excessive pawing at the mouth area

If you cat is showing any of these signs, you should bring her to a veterinarian right away. Even though the problem could be small, it is best to rule out serious problems like gingivitis and gum disease. Avoiding these symptoms could lead to tooth loss, inability to eat and even internal conditions such as kidney disease.

4) Use a dental cleanser such as a gel, spray or tooth paste and brush.

5) Give your cat chew toys or dental chew treats. All cats love to play and need to satisfy their natural desire to chew. Chew toys can do the trick, while also making her teeth strong. You can also use a dental cleansing treat such as Greenies Dental Treats.

6) Keep on top of her diet. Some cats are more susceptible to mouth problems than others. There are special cat foods for cats with dental issues. You can ask a veterinarian to recommend the best food for your pet.

By following all of these steps, you will be well on your way to keeping on top of your cat's dental health.

Controlling Anxiety and Territorial Spraying in Cats

It is easy to assume that modern house cats bear little obvious resemblance to their wild ancestors, but the truth is that much of their behaviour is in fact guided by pre-programmed impulses that can be traced back to the days before cats became domesticated. The way cats behave is much easier to understand once we appreciate just how much they are still driven by their ancient instincts towards self preservation and survival.

A cat's goals in life are not complicated - they desire nutrition, procreation and safety above all else. In order to achieve these, cats must command their territory, secure sufficient food, and maximise their opportunity for mating. Cats are naturally anxious animals, and if your cat is showing signs of anxiety the cause is almost always going to be one of these three things.

How to Spot Stress and Anxiety in Cats

There are many signs of anxiety in cats that owners should look out for. These include aggressive behaviour, avoidance of the litter box, and withdrawn behaviour. Some cats deal with anxiety by grooming themselves excessively, to the point where they are pulling all their hair out.

Noticing these symptoms early and dealing with them straight away is crucial to preventing the anxiety getting out of control. If you suspect your cat is suffering from anxiety, there are a number of treatment options available to you, and your vet will be able to advise you on the best ones use.

Increasingly popular are the range of herbal treatments, which come in many forms and can help to treat the anxiety without any of the side effects that can sometimes occur with conventional medicines. Valerian in particular is considered ideal for relieving stress in dogs and cats, and can be given safely for as long as is considered necessary to overcome the condition and return them to confidence.

Another behaviour which is closely linked to anxiety is territorial spraying. Marking of territory with urine is a long-standing method used by cats to communicate with each other. Because of their solitary lifestyles, cats rarely encounter each other face to face, so they must exert their claim to territory with a series of visual and scent markers that other cats will understand, i.e. their urine.

Where spraying can become a problem is when it is done indoors in the home. When this happens, it can be instructive to look for an anxiety based reason for why your cat has felt the need to mark its territory indoors. For example, it can commonly occur after you move into a new home, or you introduce new and unfamiliar objects or pets into the house, causing your cat to feel threatened and insecure.

Again, this can be treated with both conventional and herbal medicines, as well as some tried and tested training techniques. There is also the factor of time, as often your cat may just take a little while to adjust to their surroundings being altered (e.g. with a new piece of furniture), but once they get used to it the anxiety problem will cease.

Dealing With Cat Urinary Tract Infection

Does your cat seem to have a great deal of trouble peeing, and are you at your wits' end for away to help the poor thing? It's possible that the cause of the problem is, something that they call cat urinary tract infection, or IFLUTD (that's Idiopathic Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease for the uninitiated).

Most people begin to suspect that all is not well with their cat, when their pet begins to act strangely in a number of ways. To begin with, they only just notice how their cat seems to pee about twice as often as before. They also cannot fail to notice that there are pools of cat pee all over the house all of a sudden.

With this infection, over time, your cat begins to experience a great deal of pain while peeing. You see how the poor animal cries each time it happens.

Cat urinary tract infection progresses in a way that is not unfamiliar to people who have experienced the human variety. When this disease strikes, the urethra, or the tube that leads from the bladder to the outside, becomes inflamed with a bacterial infection. In humans, it's women who usually get UTI. In cats, both male and female cats get it.

When it gets your cat, you want to make sure that you do rush your cat to the vet's as soon as possible. You don't want to wait around until there is blood in your cat's pee.

Cats can get this disease at any age, basically. But it's more common in cats that are young. Usually, cats that are older than 10 years of age don't get this.

So okay, you're pretty anxious now that your cat should have to go through this. What is responsible for it? What causes cat urinary tract infection?

There could be any number of possible reasons why this should happen. You do have to realize though, that they choose to put the word "idiopathic" in the name of the disease often. There is usually no discernible reason why the infection should set in.

When you take you cat in to the vet's, they will right away run a few tests to make sure that cat urinary tract infection is indeed the culprit here. They'll do blood tests, urine tests and so on. Sometimes, they'll try to rule out kidney stones by taking x-rays first.

When it comes to treating cat urinary tract infection, you'll probably find that the problem can be handled on an outpatient basis. For other, more serious forms of the disease, they'll admit your cat for inpatient treatment. Just like with a real person.

Arthritis In Cats - What Is Causing It And What You Can Do Naturally?

Arthritis in cats is not a common problem, as it is in dogs. Its veterinary title is known as feline osteoarthritis, or feline degenerative joint disease. It affects the cartilage of the joint, rather than the joints themselves. But as the cartilage wears away, the joints can rub together.

Arthritis in anyone commonly occurs years after a joint injury. The joint may swell up causing pain. This leads to lameness or stiffness. Naturally, the cat will be less inclined to move about. Certain areas may be painful to touch.

Cats are less likely to suffer with a genetic inheritance of arthritis than dogs are, unless they have been inbred. But environmental factors do play an important role in whether or not they will develop it. Toxicity comes high on the list.

It is normally older cats or overweight cats who are the ones who are most prone to suffer. This is not inevitable. It isn't age that is the problem per se, so much as the accumulation of toxins, that cannot be eliminated.

The two most common culprits of toxicity in the life of the majority of domestic cats are the processed commercial cat food and the veterinary medication.

Let's examine each in turn.

Commercial cat food is made by corporations. Corporations have one aim and one aim only; to make money. This is true across the board, whatever area they are in. Honestly, quality, integrity and ethics do tend to get in the way of maximum profits, so are limited, discarded or skated over.

The ingredients that are used in commercial cat food are of poor quality, with cheap food that is unsuitable for cats, laced with a chemical cocktail to stimulate the appetite, to colour, to flavour, to preserve, to hide.

Veterinary medication, as with human medication, does not aim to cure arthritis in cats, or any other condition. Instead, it can only manage the problem by suppressing the symptoms.

In doing so, it adds to the already burgeoning toxic load and lowers the immune system. This compounds the problem.

Past medication, including vaccines, may have lead to this problem simply by overloading the cat with toxins.

So why do people unwittingly create a problem for their cat? It's not that most people are gullible; it's more that children are brought up to respect authority without question. As a result, the world is dominated by people who can't think for themselves, but obey what they are told, especially if that person is held in high social regard.

Start to question for yourself. Start to look for causes yourself. You have as much ability to work problems out as the next person. Don't allow the opinions, however common, of others to sway your better judgement.

Arthritis in cats can be prevented if the cat is fed a good quality, natural diet. And it can be cured by adding in to this good quality homeopathic treatment.

To find out more about natural and healthy choices, click on the link below.

Do You Actually Need to Buy Hypoallergenic Cat Food

Sometimes, you have to wonder if the pet food manufacturers make up a market for their "specially formulated" pet foods on their own. For instance, what is with all the hypoallergenic cat food that's all over the place now.

They first sell you cheap, mass-produced pet food that's full of all the ingredients that cats are not supposed to eat. Then the food produces all these undesirable allergies and intolerances in your cat. Finally, they tell you that your cat seems to be oversensitive to its food, and they try to sell you hypoallergenic cat food. That's what they call making money hand over fist.

But what are we talking about here? What do they put into hypoallergenic cat food (or dog food) that's supposed to not aggravate anything in your cat?

Well, if it's hypoallergenic pet food, they claim that since animal proteins are the main culprits, they take that completely out. Instead, they use a lot of hydrolyzed chicken, soybean oil, cellulose and starch.

The advertise their products as having no intact animal proteins, in fact; the hydrolyzed chicken is supposed to make sure that no proteins in there is intact and in their natural form.

What is this "hydrolyzation", anyway? What kind of process is this? Well, let's just say that you wouldn't ever want to eat anything that was "hydrolyzed". It's a process where they chemically treat meat, and grind it up until it's a completely homogeneous paste. They then treat it under heat and pressure so that its completely neutralized and sterilized.

Unless you actually buy cheap pet food that's made out of stuff that cats and dogs were never supposed eat in the first place, it's not likely that your pets will never develop any allergies at all.

If you do have to feed your cat inexpensive cat food, at least, make sure that you don't stick with one brand for a long time. If you switch brands often, your cat will get different kinds of proteins sources.

It's very important actually that cats are just fed food that's meant for cats. Cats are not meant to eat meat or rice - filler that is abundantly used in cheap cat food.

You need to make sure that your cat food contains lots of moisture, lots of regular muscle meat, just a little bit of fruit and vegetables, and some animal fat. When a cat is fed a natural diet, there is no way that it's ever going to become allergic to anything.

Helping Your Cat Lose Weight

Over a long winter (or all-year round if you and your feline stay indoors), you may begin to notice your waistline expanding from a lack of activity, but if you're not up and moving, there's a good chance that your pet is doing the same. For cat owners, weight gain is a major issue that can be directly affecting your cat health and may lead to a plethora of ailments such as diabetes, joint issues and can inhibit your cats quality of life. However, getting a cat to lose weight is far more difficult than working with a canine, so you'll have to put in the extra effort to get your feline back in shape. You should keep the following tips in mind to help your furry friend regain his vitality and get back to a more fit and healthier state.

Take him to the vet

Before you embark on any weight loss plan, you should take a trip to your veterinarian to get blood work done and begin a course of action to help your feline lose weight. This will let you know the ideal weight for your feline, considering size and age, to ultimately slim down to the perfect proportion. Additionally, this is a good chance to get your feline's spring vaccinations and other regular tests done to protect against the many seasonal risks.

Make a commitment to regular play

Getting your feline up and moving is one of the most effective means of accelerating heart rate and helping burn calories, but unless you bring your cat on regular walks, you'll have to get a bit creative. Invest in a few engaging cat toys that make sounds and can pique interest. Hide the toys inside of a paper bag or search for feathery toys that can dangle behind you and can be chased. Avoid products like laser pointers - while it will get him up and moving, they will frustrate your furry friends since they can never be caught!

A change in diet

Upping the nutritional quality of your feline's food and limiting portion sizes is another effective means of dropping excess weight. Look for products made with mainly natural ingredients and free of corn, grain and other fillers. It may cost a bit extra, but it may just improve your feline's longevity and overall health.

If you consider and practice these few helpful tips, your cat will surely be in great shape in no time. Truth be told, even if your feline doesn't need to lose weight, keeping these tips in mind throughout your cats life will definitely prolong it.

FLUTD - The Number One Reason Cats Visit the Veterinarian

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is the number one reason pet owners take their cat to the veterinarian. The signs of FLUTD are often confused with behavioral issues.

FLUTD is commonly associated with indoor, middle-aged and overweight cats. Males and females are both at risk for FLUTD, but it is more serious in males (more so in neutered males) than females as they have a narrower urethra.

Contributing Factors:

· Age one year or older

· Lack of exercise

· Bacterial, fungal and viral infections

· History of chronic kidney disease

· Bladder stones and crystals

· Living in conflict with other pets

· Stress

· Poor diet

· Insufficient water intake

The primary cause of FLUTD is unknown. A cat's diet contributes to the development of the disease, but does not on its own cause or cure FLUTD. Changing your cat's diet to a specific urinary diet can help with the resolution of FLUTD. Your veterinarian will need to do lab diagnostics to determine which diet will be best for your cat.

If your cat shows any of the following symptoms, please take your cat to your veterinarian for a thorough examination.

Straining to urinate.

Frequent and/or prolonged attempts to urinate.

Crying out while urinating.

Excessive licking of the genital area.

Urinating outside the litter box.

Blood in the urine.

***Cats with a urethral obstruction will show the above signs but will pass little or no urine and will become increasingly distressed. A urethral obstruction is an absolute emergency, requiring immediate veterinary treatment and possibly surgery.

Stress also plays a key role in FLUTD. Stress factors include sudden changes in diet, environment, overcrowding, or the addition or removal to the household of new pets or people. Cats can also be stressed by their owner's emotional state or changes in their owner's routines.

Stress associated with undesirable urination habits can sometimes be a simple fix. Your cat may act out if he does not like the type of litter, the litter box or the placement of the box. Other stressors that may be more difficult to correct are competition for or feeling threatened while using the box.

It is imperative to reduce the stress level of your cat by providing a safe area for the cat to urinate. There should be a litter box for each cat in the household, plus one more. This helps reduce overcrowding or bullying. Cleaning the boxes frequently and not placing the food or water bowls near the litter box are also important.

The first step in identifying the problem is taking your cat to a veterinarian for an examination and possibly diagnostic testing. Testing may consist of a urinalysis, ultrasound of the bladder, radiograph of the bladder or blood work.

Asthma in Cats Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

What is Asthma in Cats

Asthma in Cats - much like human asthma is really a chronic inflammation of the small passageways of a cat's lungs. Whenever an asthma attack happens, these types of passageways coagulate and tighten, rendering it very hard for your cat to breathe. This frequently results in asthmatic distress, that can turn out to be serious within a matter of minutes. Your cat's lungs might also start to release mucus in the air passages, bringing about fits of wheezing as well as coughing. A few cats having more gentle circumstances merely feel a small, persistent cough. Since asthma can easily turn into a fatal health condition, any kind of hacking and coughing cat must have a vet examination.

Symptoms of Asthma in Cats

· Coughing and wheezing

· Persistent cough

· Squatting with shoulders hunched, neck extended as well as rapid breathing or gasping for breath

· Gagging up foamy mucus

· Open mouth breathing

· Blue lips and gums

· Labored breath after exercise

· General weakness and lethargy

The Cause of Asthma in Cats

Though there are numerous components which lead to asthma in cats, it is considered to produce due to allergic bronchitis. Allergic bronchitis takes place when the air passage within a cat's lungs turn swollen because of an inhaled allergen or some other element that induces the immune system.

Frequent components that may add to the intensity of the asthma attack can include:

· Allergens, such as pollens, molds, dust from cat litter, cigarette smoke, perfume as well as particular foods

· Pre-existing heart problems or illnesses

· Parasites

· Extreme stress

· Obesity

Asthma-like conditions in cats can be related to various other disease, like heartworm, respiratory parasites, tumors, heart failure and pneumonia.

Do Allergies affect Asthma in Cats

Cat Allergies The Sensitivity to external air-borne pollutants and pollen can play a role in asthma in certain cats.

Cats More Susceptible to Asthma

Asthma in cats generally builds up between age of 2 and 8 years of age, having a greater likelihood in female cats than males. Siamese and Himalayan breeds as well as mixed breeds often have asthma more often than other breeds.

My Cat Has Asthma What do I do

Pay a visit to your vet right away if you believe your cat has got asthma. The Vet will then carry out a physical check-up and probably suggest diagnostic assessments to discover the cause of the condition.

How does Asthma in Cats get Diagnosed

Given that signs of asthma may be much like the ones from other diseases like heartworm, pneumonia and congestive heart failure, it is vital for your vet to identify the reason for his attacks. No specific test can confirm asthma, however radiographs, blood work, analysis of bronchial secretions as well as parasite tests might be performed to exclude additional factors.

Treatment for Asthma in Cats

Though there's no genuine cure for asthma, there are a variety of techniques for effectively handling it. Efficient therapy can include medicines which will clear breathing passages and lessen airway inflammation or adjust the body's immune response. Similar to human asthma, medicine is occasionally given via an exclusively adapted inhaler.

Prevent Asthma Attacks in my Cat

· Have your cat analyzed regularly for internal parasites.

· Reduce stress within your cat's environment, since it has a tendency to intensify allergy and asthma symptoms.

· NO perfumes, room fresheners, carpet deodorizers, hairspray, aerosol cleaners, etc., around your cat.

· Avoid cat litters that generate a lot of dust, scented litters or litter additives.

· Dry air motivates asthma attacks, so hold an effective humidifier going particularly throughout the winter months.

· Hold your cat's weight down and her body active!

· NOTE, no cat should be exposed to cigarette smoke however should your cat have asthma, cigarette smoke is a complete no-no.

Unraveling the Mysterious Origins of the House Cat

If you spend enough time with your cat, you will ultimately begin to believe there is no way he or she doesn't own the intellectual upper hand. How else, can they manage to lounge all day like a rich "aristocat", pampered with all sorts of cat treats, grooming services, and a scented toilet?

Dating back to even the ancient Egyptians, cats and humans have shared a long and happy history of cohabitation. And though we may never know if past human generations got a kick out of watching their felines bat around balled toys, we do know however, that cats have made superb and well-loved pets for over the past millennium.

When considering Scientific America's article, the majority of domesticated and farm animals have a rich history of many uses. For example; cows gave us milk, sheep gave us wool, horses provided human and supply transport, dogs were great hunting companions, but cat domestication is much less obvious. Most likely and common sense should tell us, our feline friends were adopted to primarily control the rodent populations around the home and work place.

The real question is when did they actually become domesticated? There are many opinions out there, but one I would like to point out, is The Smithsonian Magazine's web article that gives evidence to the discovery of an ancient grace site on the Mediterranean isle of Cyprus. In this circumstance, the article states, "a cat had been deliberately buried with a human." To add to this, the source then points to a more recent genetic link relating our modern housecat to a Middle Eastern ancestor that once lived in what is believed to be where domestication began, thousands of years ago.

What is intriguing here is the data suggests that cat domestication could reach back to as old as 12,000 years ago. This amazing finding beats the Egyptians, well-know cat lovers (and worshippers), by over 8,000 years! This informative Smithsonian article continues and speaks about the reverence and deity worship by the Romans.

During the Middle Ages, when strife and darkness held a firm grasp on humanity, cats were actually scorned and killed off instead of loved and pampered. Instead of being worshipped or pampered, cats were believed to be inherently evil and in league with witches and dark magic. This, can lead one to think at least, it explains the crippling spread of the bubonic plague via unimpeded rat populations.

Another interesting theory worth noting is both Scientific America and The Smithsonian point out that cats may have just effective opportunists. Rather, cats saw that mice and rats tended to accumulate where there were people, recognized an opportunity, and used it to their advantage. Ever since then, our cats have been sitting pretty on a sweet deal. or for more on The Smithsonian article on A Brief History of House Cats

For more information on the Scietific American article follow this link to their great article on The Evolution of House Cats or for more on The Smithsonian article travel over to A Brief History of House Cats.

Pussy Cat, Where Have You Been? Tips to Litter Training Your Cat

If you have a new (or even not-so-new) kitty, litter box training matters to you. The good news is that cats are fastidious creatures with an instinctive urge to cover their feces with sand or dirt. The bad news is that without a little guidance, your kitten may instinctively relieve herself in your potted plants or flower garden (and play ring-around-the-rosie.)

Here are eight tips to keep kitty poop in its proper place:

1. Hush little kitty, don't you cry! Cats like a quiet, relatively private place for their litter box, away from the bustle and rush of an entry way or high traffic area. Ideally, the box should be away from the cat's feeding and sleeping areas.

2. A rose by any other name... still smells. When choosing kitty litter, avoid heavily scented ones. Your cat may not prefer the aroma, which could deter his frequenting of the box. Clumping kitty litter makes your job easier and helps you keep the area clean, which brings us to the next suggestion.

3. Clean, clean, clean the box. As mentioned before, cats are fastidious, and a litter box should be cleaned at least once a day. If the box is dirty, your cat may find a creative alternative like your teenage son's open sock drawer or an obscure spot in the guest bedroom. A large slotted spoon and a supply of small plastic bags kept nearby make quick work.

4. One, two, buckle my shoe. You should have one litter box for each cat you own, plus one more. That means if you have two cats, you need three litter boxes.

5. London Bridge is falling down. The sides of a litter box should be low enough that a kitten can easily step over the edges. When you first bring the kitten home, take her to the box first thing. She may get the idea immediately. At the very least, he knows where the box is.

6. Touch not the box! Once the litter box is strategically placed where you want it, try not to move it. A location switch could confuse your kitty and lead to accidents.

7. Twinkle, twinkle little star. Positive reinforcement is preferable to negative. A treat given in the early days for use of the litter box could encourage your kitten to repeat that behavior.

8. Mary, Mary, quite contrary. Although no one wants to run across kitty poop or pee on the rug, yelling or making a scene could cause your cat to be stealthy and even strategic with her mishaps. The last thing you want at your house is a stealthy, strategic cat!

Alas, there's no more time for feline nursery rhymes. Go tell Aunt Rhody to call us and schedule a check-up for Winken, Blinken and Nod. Your vet is looking forward to meeting the newest cat in your cradle!

A Holistic Veterinarian May Offer Your Cat More In Every Way

Finding a holistic veterinarian for your cat can be hard. As a homeopath, I don't need one often as I treat any ailments that arise myself. But there are occasions when a vet is needed, such as for sterilisation, setting a broken bone or stitching up a large wound. This is the limit that I need a vet, because homeopathy is so far reaching.

I have searched high and low for one I could resonate with. I have tried a variety, travelling many kilometres to see what they are like. It's taken me years, but I have finally found one who fits the bill. He is a conventional vet, but he also uses homeopathy and Chinese medicine. He is very approachable, doesn't put himself on a pedestal, is open minded and I can talk to him easily.

This is such a refreshing change.

I will never leave an animal at a vet, I will never abandon them there. So for me, I need someone who allows me access to the animal immediately after surgery, so that I can get my homeopathic treatment started.

There is so much that needs to be done - pain of tissue damage, possible nerve damage, infection prevention, ailments from the anaesthetic, grief and resentment from loss of fertility, sudden cut off of hormones at the very least.

The sooner I can get started, the better the animal will recover. So many problems can arise in later life that are connected to veterinary treatment.

It was one of these problems that brought me to homeopathy. A cat who had suffered with eczema for many years, reacted unfavourably to the veterinary medications. Eventually I stopped the medications, feeling she would prefer the eczema.

When I finally consulted a holistic vet, or more accurately a homeopathic vet, he opened my eyes to this reality. He suggested that the cat's sterilisation was the cause of her eczema because it was done without her consent. She was resentful of this action, which was expressed as eczema. He sent me (this was a telephone consultation as we were in different areas) a homeopathic remedy which immediately cured the eczema.

This could only happen because it healed the resentment.

I dislike sterilising animals, but am at a loss for real alternatives. The best I can currently do is to understand that what I am doing is far from natural, far from healthy and that I need to understand how to undo the harm I inflict on them, as much as I can.

Appropriate homeopathic treatment does this so well.

Be mindful of what you are causing in your cat. Most ailments are man made. Most are diet related. If you feed your cat a quality, natural diet, your need for any vet will dramatically diminish, as their immune system will be so good.

Then you may only need a vet, preferably a holistic vet, for those once in a lifetime incidents such as sterilisation and serious accidents.

To discover more about a healthy diet and natural health care for your cat, click on the link below.

Pussy Cat, Where Have You Been? Tips to Litter Training Your Cat

If you have a new (or even not-so-new) kitty, litter box training matters to you. The good news is that cats are fastidious creatures with an instinctive urge to cover their feces with sand or dirt. The bad news is that without a little guidance, your kitten may instinctively relieve herself in your potted plants or flower garden (and play ring-around-the-rosie.)

Here are eight tips to keep kitty poop in its proper place:

1. Hush little kitty, don't you cry! Cats like a quiet, relatively private place for their litter box, away from the bustle and rush of an entry way or high traffic area. Ideally, the box should be away from the cat's feeding and sleeping areas.

2. A rose by any other name... still smells. When choosing kitty litter, avoid heavily scented ones. Your cat may not prefer the aroma, which could deter his frequenting of the box. Clumping kitty litter makes your job easier and helps you keep the area clean, which brings us to the next suggestion.

3. Clean, clean, clean the box. As mentioned before, cats are fastidious, and a litter box should be cleaned at least once a day. If the box is dirty, your cat may find a creative alternative like your teenage son's open sock drawer or an obscure spot in the guest bedroom. A large slotted spoon and a supply of small plastic bags kept nearby make quick work.

4. One, two, buckle my shoe. You should have one litter box for each cat you own, plus one more. That means if you have two cats, you need three litter boxes.

5. London Bridge is falling down. The sides of a litter box should be low enough that a kitten can easily step over the edges. When you first bring the kitten home, take her to the box first thing. She may get the idea immediately. At the very least, he knows where the box is.

6. Touch not the box! Once the litter box is strategically placed where you want it, try not to move it. A location switch could confuse your kitty and lead to accidents.

7. Twinkle, twinkle little star. Positive reinforcement is preferable to negative. A treat given in the early days for use of the litter box could encourage your kitten to repeat that behavior.

8. Mary, Mary, quite contrary. Although no one wants to run across kitty poop or pee on the rug, yelling or making a scene could cause your cat to be stealthy and even strategic with her mishaps. The last thing you want at your house is a stealthy, strategic cat!

Alas, there's no more time for feline nursery rhymes. Go tell Aunt Rhody to call us and schedule a check-up for Winken, Blinken and Nod. Your vet is looking forward to meeting the newest cat in your cradle!

Helping Your Cat Lose Weight

Over a long winter (or all-year round if you and your feline stay indoors), you may begin to notice your waistline expanding from a lack of activity, but if you're not up and moving, there's a good chance that your pet is doing the same. For cat owners, weight gain is a major issue that can be directly affecting your cat health and may lead to a plethora of ailments such as diabetes, joint issues and can inhibit your cats quality of life. However, getting a cat to lose weight is far more difficult than working with a canine, so you'll have to put in the extra effort to get your feline back in shape. You should keep the following tips in mind to help your furry friend regain his vitality and get back to a more fit and healthier state.

Take him to the vet

Before you embark on any weight loss plan, you should take a trip to your veterinarian to get blood work done and begin a course of action to help your feline lose weight. This will let you know the ideal weight for your feline, considering size and age, to ultimately slim down to the perfect proportion. Additionally, this is a good chance to get your feline's spring vaccinations and other regular tests done to protect against the many seasonal risks.

Make a commitment to regular play

Getting your feline up and moving is one of the most effective means of accelerating heart rate and helping burn calories, but unless you bring your cat on regular walks, you'll have to get a bit creative. Invest in a few engaging cat toys that make sounds and can pique interest. Hide the toys inside of a paper bag or search for feathery toys that can dangle behind you and can be chased. Avoid products like laser pointers - while it will get him up and moving, they will frustrate your furry friends since they can never be caught!

A change in diet

Upping the nutritional quality of your feline's food and limiting portion sizes is another effective means of dropping excess weight. Look for products made with mainly natural ingredients and free of corn, grain and other fillers. It may cost a bit extra, but it may just improve your feline's longevity and overall health.

If you consider and practice these few helpful tips, your cat will surely be in great shape in no time. Truth be told, even if your feline doesn't need to lose weight, keeping these tips in mind throughout your cats life will definitely prolong it.

FLUTD - The Number One Reason Cats Visit the Veterinarian

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is the number one reason pet owners take their cat to the veterinarian. The signs of FLUTD are often confused with behavioral issues.

FLUTD is commonly associated with indoor, middle-aged and overweight cats. Males and females are both at risk for FLUTD, but it is more serious in males (more so in neutered males) than females as they have a narrower urethra.

Contributing Factors:

· Age one year or older

· Lack of exercise

· Bacterial, fungal and viral infections

· History of chronic kidney disease

· Bladder stones and crystals

· Living in conflict with other pets

· Stress

· Poor diet

· Insufficient water intake

The primary cause of FLUTD is unknown. A cat's diet contributes to the development of the disease, but does not on its own cause or cure FLUTD. Changing your cat's diet to a specific urinary diet can help with the resolution of FLUTD. Your veterinarian will need to do lab diagnostics to determine which diet will be best for your cat.

If your cat shows any of the following symptoms, please take your cat to your veterinarian for a thorough examination.

Straining to urinate.

Frequent and/or prolonged attempts to urinate.

Crying out while urinating.

Excessive licking of the genital area.

Urinating outside the litter box.

Blood in the urine.

***Cats with a urethral obstruction will show the above signs but will pass little or no urine and will become increasingly distressed. A urethral obstruction is an absolute emergency, requiring immediate veterinary treatment and possibly surgery.

Stress also plays a key role in FLUTD. Stress factors include sudden changes in diet, environment, overcrowding, or the addition or removal to the household of new pets or people. Cats can also be stressed by their owner's emotional state or changes in their owner's routines.

Stress associated with undesirable urination habits can sometimes be a simple fix. Your cat may act out if he does not like the type of litter, the litter box or the placement of the box. Other stressors that may be more difficult to correct are competition for or feeling threatened while using the box.

It is imperative to reduce the stress level of your cat by providing a safe area for the cat to urinate. There should be a litter box for each cat in the household, plus one more. This helps reduce overcrowding or bullying. Cleaning the boxes frequently and not placing the food or water bowls near the litter box are also important.

The first step in identifying the problem is taking your cat to a veterinarian for an examination and possibly diagnostic testing. Testing may consist of a urinalysis, ultrasound of the bladder, radiograph of the bladder or blood work.

Unraveling the Mysterious Origins of the House Cat

If you spend enough time with your cat, you will ultimately begin to believe there is no way he or she doesn't own the intellectual upper hand. How else, can they manage to lounge all day like a rich "aristocat", pampered with all sorts of cat treats, grooming services, and a scented toilet?

Dating back to even the ancient Egyptians, cats and humans have shared a long and happy history of cohabitation. And though we may never know if past human generations got a kick out of watching their felines bat around balled toys, we do know however, that cats have made superb and well-loved pets for over the past millennium.

When considering Scientific America's article, the majority of domesticated and farm animals have a rich history of many uses. For example; cows gave us milk, sheep gave us wool, horses provided human and supply transport, dogs were great hunting companions, but cat domestication is much less obvious. Most likely and common sense should tell us, our feline friends were adopted to primarily control the rodent populations around the home and work place.

The real question is when did they actually become domesticated? There are many opinions out there, but one I would like to point out, is The Smithsonian Magazine's web article that gives evidence to the discovery of an ancient grace site on the Mediterranean isle of Cyprus. In this circumstance, the article states, "a cat had been deliberately buried with a human." To add to this, the source then points to a more recent genetic link relating our modern housecat to a Middle Eastern ancestor that once lived in what is believed to be where domestication began, thousands of years ago.

What is intriguing here is the data suggests that cat domestication could reach back to as old as 12,000 years ago. This amazing finding beats the Egyptians, well-know cat lovers (and worshippers), by over 8,000 years! This informative Smithsonian article continues and speaks about the reverence and deity worship by the Romans.

During the Middle Ages, when strife and darkness held a firm grasp on humanity, cats were actually scorned and killed off instead of loved and pampered. Instead of being worshipped or pampered, cats were believed to be inherently evil and in league with witches and dark magic. This, can lead one to think at least, it explains the crippling spread of the bubonic plague via unimpeded rat populations.

Another interesting theory worth noting is both Scientific America and The Smithsonian point out that cats may have just effective opportunists. Rather, cats saw that mice and rats tended to accumulate where there were people, recognized an opportunity, and used it to their advantage. Ever since then, our cats have been sitting pretty on a sweet deal. or for more on The Smithsonian article on A Brief History of House Cats

For more information on the Scietific American article follow this link to their great article on The Evolution of House Cats or for more on The Smithsonian article travel over to A Brief History of House Cats.

Do You Actually Need to Buy Hypoallergenic Cat Food

Sometimes, you have to wonder if the pet food manufacturers make up a market for their "specially formulated" pet foods on their own. For instance, what is with all the hypoallergenic cat food that's all over the place now.

They first sell you cheap, mass-produced pet food that's full of all the ingredients that cats are not supposed to eat. Then the food produces all these undesirable allergies and intolerances in your cat. Finally, they tell you that your cat seems to be oversensitive to its food, and they try to sell you hypoallergenic cat food. That's what they call making money hand over fist.

But what are we talking about here? What do they put into hypoallergenic cat food (or dog food) that's supposed to not aggravate anything in your cat?

Well, if it's hypoallergenic pet food, they claim that since animal proteins are the main culprits, they take that completely out. Instead, they use a lot of hydrolyzed chicken, soybean oil, cellulose and starch.

The advertise their products as having no intact animal proteins, in fact; the hydrolyzed chicken is supposed to make sure that no proteins in there is intact and in their natural form.

What is this "hydrolyzation", anyway? What kind of process is this? Well, let's just say that you wouldn't ever want to eat anything that was "hydrolyzed". It's a process where they chemically treat meat, and grind it up until it's a completely homogeneous paste. They then treat it under heat and pressure so that its completely neutralized and sterilized.

Unless you actually buy cheap pet food that's made out of stuff that cats and dogs were never supposed eat in the first place, it's not likely that your pets will never develop any allergies at all.

If you do have to feed your cat inexpensive cat food, at least, make sure that you don't stick with one brand for a long time. If you switch brands often, your cat will get different kinds of proteins sources.

It's very important actually that cats are just fed food that's meant for cats. Cats are not meant to eat meat or rice - filler that is abundantly used in cheap cat food.

You need to make sure that your cat food contains lots of moisture, lots of regular muscle meat, just a little bit of fruit and vegetables, and some animal fat. When a cat is fed a natural diet, there is no way that it's ever going to become allergic to anything.

Dealing With Cat Urinary Tract Infection

Does your cat seem to have a great deal of trouble peeing, and are you at your wits' end for away to help the poor thing? It's possible that the cause of the problem is, something that they call cat urinary tract infection, or IFLUTD (that's Idiopathic Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease for the uninitiated).

Most people begin to suspect that all is not well with their cat, when their pet begins to act strangely in a number of ways. To begin with, they only just notice how their cat seems to pee about twice as often as before. They also cannot fail to notice that there are pools of cat pee all over the house all of a sudden.

With this infection, over time, your cat begins to experience a great deal of pain while peeing. You see how the poor animal cries each time it happens.

Cat urinary tract infection progresses in a way that is not unfamiliar to people who have experienced the human variety. When this disease strikes, the urethra, or the tube that leads from the bladder to the outside, becomes inflamed with a bacterial infection. In humans, it's women who usually get UTI. In cats, both male and female cats get it.

When it gets your cat, you want to make sure that you do rush your cat to the vet's as soon as possible. You don't want to wait around until there is blood in your cat's pee.

Cats can get this disease at any age, basically. But it's more common in cats that are young. Usually, cats that are older than 10 years of age don't get this.

So okay, you're pretty anxious now that your cat should have to go through this. What is responsible for it? What causes cat urinary tract infection?

There could be any number of possible reasons why this should happen. You do have to realize though, that they choose to put the word "idiopathic" in the name of the disease often. There is usually no discernible reason why the infection should set in.

When you take you cat in to the vet's, they will right away run a few tests to make sure that cat urinary tract infection is indeed the culprit here. They'll do blood tests, urine tests and so on. Sometimes, they'll try to rule out kidney stones by taking x-rays first.

When it comes to treating cat urinary tract infection, you'll probably find that the problem can be handled on an outpatient basis. For other, more serious forms of the disease, they'll admit your cat for inpatient treatment. Just like with a real person.

Asthma in Cats Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

What is Asthma in Cats

Asthma in Cats - much like human asthma is really a chronic inflammation of the small passageways of a cat's lungs. Whenever an asthma attack happens, these types of passageways coagulate and tighten, rendering it very hard for your cat to breathe. This frequently results in asthmatic distress, that can turn out to be serious within a matter of minutes. Your cat's lungs might also start to release mucus in the air passages, bringing about fits of wheezing as well as coughing. A few cats having more gentle circumstances merely feel a small, persistent cough. Since asthma can easily turn into a fatal health condition, any kind of hacking and coughing cat must have a vet examination.

Symptoms of Asthma in Cats

· Coughing and wheezing

· Persistent cough

· Squatting with shoulders hunched, neck extended as well as rapid breathing or gasping for breath

· Gagging up foamy mucus

· Open mouth breathing

· Blue lips and gums

· Labored breath after exercise

· General weakness and lethargy

The Cause of Asthma in Cats

Though there are numerous components which lead to asthma in cats, it is considered to produce due to allergic bronchitis. Allergic bronchitis takes place when the air passage within a cat's lungs turn swollen because of an inhaled allergen or some other element that induces the immune system.

Frequent components that may add to the intensity of the asthma attack can include:

· Allergens, such as pollens, molds, dust from cat litter, cigarette smoke, perfume as well as particular foods

· Pre-existing heart problems or illnesses

· Parasites

· Extreme stress

· Obesity

Asthma-like conditions in cats can be related to various other disease, like heartworm, respiratory parasites, tumors, heart failure and pneumonia.

Do Allergies affect Asthma in Cats

Cat Allergies The Sensitivity to external air-borne pollutants and pollen can play a role in asthma in certain cats.

Cats More Susceptible to Asthma

Asthma in cats generally builds up between age of 2 and 8 years of age, having a greater likelihood in female cats than males. Siamese and Himalayan breeds as well as mixed breeds often have asthma more often than other breeds.

My Cat Has Asthma What do I do

Pay a visit to your vet right away if you believe your cat has got asthma. The Vet will then carry out a physical check-up and probably suggest diagnostic assessments to discover the cause of the condition.

How does Asthma in Cats get Diagnosed

Given that signs of asthma may be much like the ones from other diseases like heartworm, pneumonia and congestive heart failure, it is vital for your vet to identify the reason for his attacks. No specific test can confirm asthma, however radiographs, blood work, analysis of bronchial secretions as well as parasite tests might be performed to exclude additional factors.

Treatment for Asthma in Cats

Though there's no genuine cure for asthma, there are a variety of techniques for effectively handling it. Efficient therapy can include medicines which will clear breathing passages and lessen airway inflammation or adjust the body's immune response. Similar to human asthma, medicine is occasionally given via an exclusively adapted inhaler.

Prevent Asthma Attacks in my Cat

· Have your cat analyzed regularly for internal parasites.

· Reduce stress within your cat's environment, since it has a tendency to intensify allergy and asthma symptoms.

· NO perfumes, room fresheners, carpet deodorizers, hairspray, aerosol cleaners, etc., around your cat.

· Avoid cat litters that generate a lot of dust, scented litters or litter additives.

· Dry air motivates asthma attacks, so hold an effective humidifier going particularly throughout the winter months.

· Hold your cat's weight down and her body active!

· NOTE, no cat should be exposed to cigarette smoke however should your cat have asthma, cigarette smoke is a complete no-no.

A Holistic Veterinarian May Offer Your Cat More In Every Way

Finding a holistic veterinarian for your cat can be hard. As a homeopath, I don't need one often as I treat any ailments that arise myself. But there are occasions when a vet is needed, such as for sterilisation, setting a broken bone or stitching up a large wound. This is the limit that I need a vet, because homeopathy is so far reaching.

I have searched high and low for one I could resonate with. I have tried a variety, travelling many kilometres to see what they are like. It's taken me years, but I have finally found one who fits the bill. He is a conventional vet, but he also uses homeopathy and Chinese medicine. He is very approachable, doesn't put himself on a pedestal, is open minded and I can talk to him easily.

This is such a refreshing change.

I will never leave an animal at a vet, I will never abandon them there. So for me, I need someone who allows me access to the animal immediately after surgery, so that I can get my homeopathic treatment started.

There is so much that needs to be done - pain of tissue damage, possible nerve damage, infection prevention, ailments from the anaesthetic, grief and resentment from loss of fertility, sudden cut off of hormones at the very least.

The sooner I can get started, the better the animal will recover. So many problems can arise in later life that are connected to veterinary treatment.

It was one of these problems that brought me to homeopathy. A cat who had suffered with eczema for many years, reacted unfavourably to the veterinary medications. Eventually I stopped the medications, feeling she would prefer the eczema.

When I finally consulted a holistic vet, or more accurately a homeopathic vet, he opened my eyes to this reality. He suggested that the cat's sterilisation was the cause of her eczema because it was done without her consent. She was resentful of this action, which was expressed as eczema. He sent me (this was a telephone consultation as we were in different areas) a homeopathic remedy which immediately cured the eczema.

This could only happen because it healed the resentment.

I dislike sterilising animals, but am at a loss for real alternatives. The best I can currently do is to understand that what I am doing is far from natural, far from healthy and that I need to understand how to undo the harm I inflict on them, as much as I can.

Appropriate homeopathic treatment does this so well.

Be mindful of what you are causing in your cat. Most ailments are man made. Most are diet related. If you feed your cat a quality, natural diet, your need for any vet will dramatically diminish, as their immune system will be so good.

Then you may only need a vet, preferably a holistic vet, for those once in a lifetime incidents such as sterilisation and serious accidents.

To discover more about a healthy diet and natural health care for your cat, click on the link below.

Your Aging Kitty and Their Needs

Your aging kitty needs you now more than ever. A senior kitty, according to the American Association of Feline Practioners and American Animal Hospital Association, says that senior cats between the ages of 11-14 are considered "senior" cats and age 15 and older are geriatric cats.

Your cat cannot tell you that his senses are dulling with age. You have to pay attention to different signs of age related problems that your cat may be experiencing. Cats use their sense of smell to find their food and water bowls. Also they use their sense of smell to locate their litter box. Yes, sight absolutely plays a part in finding these things, but they rely mainly on scent.

If your aging kitty is not eating like he used to, then try getting a food that has a stronger smell to it. Also, there might be a dental issue going on with loose teeth or a problem with inflammation of the gum tissue. He might miss the litter box or go just to the side of it or directly in front of it. Try investing in another litter box. Your cat may be just saying that he has sore muscles or is developing arthritis and it's painful to walk further to get to where the litter box is located. Place more litter boxes around the house or apartment or on all levels of the home.

As always, however, upon noticing any change in your pet, always take your pet to your Veterinarian immediately. You may not have noticed right away or your pet is hiding his symptoms very well and by the time you notice the changes, it may be in the advanced stages.

If arthritis or sore muscles are a problem, try investing in an orthopedic bed. One that is a little thicker and doesn't scrunch down to the floor when your pet lays on it. Also, you can look at all types of beds. You don't have to buy a cat bed just because it's labeled, "Cat Bed". You can look at the dog beds for cats. Some of them are thicker and wider for your kitty.

Also, if you notice they are not jumping as well, you may want to invest in steps to help them up onto the couch or bed or windowsill. You can buy different size steps, 2-5 steps and also ramps will work well. Your aging pet may become frustrated when he/she cannot jump as well as he used to. They can become stressed or depressed when frustrated.

Remember, they depend so much on their humans to help them. They cannot talk to you, well with words anyway! They do speak to us in their own language and sometimes we understand! Always have fresh water for them and try to keep to a schedule. They thrive when on a feeding schedule. Just pay attention and love them the best that you can and if you notice any changes, make an appointment to see your Veterinarian. That's all we can ask of ourselves! Just enjoy every minute with your aging cat! You're very lucky to have each other!

Cat Food Shopping Guide For A Happy Feline Friend

If you are a proud and happy owner of a cat or kitten then probably one of your major concerns is how to feed him correctly so that he grows up healthy and ready to play all day long. There are plenty of different brands of cat food available in the market and it can be a bit overwhelming to decide which one is the most suitable for your feline friend. Hopefully, after reading this article this task will seem much easier.

As you shop around for cat food, you should bear in mind that it needs to keep your cat healthy and full of energy. Your pet's diet needs to be well balanced and varied in order to ensure that he receives all the vitamins, proteins, minerals and other nutrients he requires.

There are two main kinds of pet food: canned wet food or dry food. Cats and kittens usually prefer wet or soft food although vets tend to suggest that dry food is better. According to their professional view, wet food sticks to your cat's teeth keeping them dirtier and it needs to be kept in a cool place so that it does not get rotten. However, as it has quite a strong smell, putting it in the fridge or a cupboard is not a good idea as its smell can invade whatever you have in your fridge or cupboard.

Now that you know that you should opt for dry cat food, you should pay attention to the label of ingredients listed in the package. Make sure that it lists vitamins C and E as preservatives as they have no negative secondary effects on your cat's health and, in fact, are good for it. Check as well that no grains such as corn or maize are included as they may trigger allergies and are poor sources of protein. Meat should be the major ingredient.

It is also important that you pay attention to the manufacturing process. If the amount of humidity the food grains were exposed to was not correctly monitored with the aid of moisture sensors then you cannot be totally sure that your cat will find the food tasty and crunchy.

Do not forget as well to check if your cat suffers from any undergoing health condition that will make him need a special type of food. For instance, there are food manufacturers who produce food for cats that need to control their cholesterol or their blood pressure.

How to Choose an Automatic Feeder For Your Type of Pet

1. If your cat is overweight

Get a feeder with a timer: if your cat is fat, you probably have a feeding schedule for your pet, so you need to get a feeder that has a timer so you can set a schedule depending on how many times a day you want your cat to eat - for example, at 9 am, 2 pm and 7 pm.

Get a feeder with minimal food dispensing capabilities: it has to have a food dispensing system that allows you to dispense very small amounts of food at a time. The reason for this is that if you want your cat to eat a total amount of 90 grs of food daily, for example, and you want to feed it 3 times a day, the dispenser has to be able to dispense 30 grs of food each time.

Get a feeder with a good, protected nozzle system: this is because fat cats are usually obsessed with food and it probably wouldn't be too hard for them to figure out a way to prise more food out of the feeder with their paws if the nozzle isn't well protected.

2. If your cat eats too fast

You have to get a feeder with a special food dispensing system that releases one pellet at a time, in other words, a toy feeder. These feeders were created especially for cats that have the bad habit of eating too fast. These feeders are not automatic solutions, but you can use them if you want to get your cat to start eating slowly.

These feeders are the ball-feeder type. You put the dry cat food in the ball-feeder and adjust the feeder outlet to allow it to easily dispense one pellet of the cat food at a time. If you want it to dispense more than one pellet at a time, you can adjust the feeder outlet to a larger size. As your cat chases and bats the toy-feeder around the room, it will dispense one or more pellets at a time. This activity of chasing the ball, or pushing it with its nose, gives your cat hours of stimulating play and allows you to control how fast it eats.

3. If your cat is the "locksmith" type of cat

Get a food dispenser with a protected nozzle system: if your cat is smart enough to outsmart most feeder safety systems, you have to purchase an automatic feeder that has very good nozzle protection so your cat can't violate it. There are very good feeders specially designed for these kinds of cats.

These tips will help you to get the right automatic feeder for your type of cat. Good luck!

See What Your Cat Sees

I always try to squat down when I'm talking to or petting my cat while they're sitting on the floor. Why? Because it puts you more on their level and that makes them more comfortable.

Think about this for just a minute. If you had a giant looming over you, wouldn't that make you just a bit uncomfortable? Gulliver's Travels comes to mind! This is just one way to try to see things as your cat sees them.

People often just thrust their hand out toward the cats face to pet it. Another scary thing. Try slowly moving your hand in toward their neck area and scratching their chin first. Then move up to the rest of the head. It's a lot less frightening than a huge hand coming at their face.

We just have to remember that to them we are big... and that can be intimidating. Cats hate being intimated and don't react well to it. You have to also remember that in the cat's mind, they rule... they are king, or queen, of the jungle. They don't like to look scared as it ruins their superior, aloof attitude. Let's face it, that's one of the things we love about cats!

Another thing that's confusing to them is that they can scratch on that carpet covered scratching post, but not the carpet. Now, how in the heck are they suppose to tell the difference since they are both the same material? One good thing that's being done more now is they are making scratching posts out of sisal instead of carpet. Not only do cats love sisal, but it helps to keep them from thinking carpet is what you scratch on.

Something I hear people complain a lot about it is their cat suddenly biting them while being petted. First of all, a cat will usually start flicking their tail back and forth when irritated. So if you see them doing this, stop petting them. Are they being mean or difficult? No.

I used to have a boyfriend that, when we were cuddled up watching TV, would rub my arm. At first it felt nice, but after awhile it was annoying. My skin would actually start to hurt. He would be so wrapped up in the show we were watching he forgot he was doing it! I would tell him to stop, but our cats can't tell us... well, not in words anyway.

The twitching of the tail is their way of saying, "stop," but if we don't notice it they will bite or swat you. Their not being mean, their just using the only ways they have to talk to you. They may not want to move out of your lap, they just want you to stop petting. If I couldn't have actually told my boyfriend to stop rubbing my arm, I probably would have resorted to some physical method to get him to stop too!

By trying to understand how our cat sees things it makes it a lot easier to get rid of some of their habits that we don't like, such as biting or swatting at us. Try to put yourself in their place and think of how you would feel. It's really simple to figure out most of it and you and your cat will not only get along better, but have a stronger bond.

Feline Autoimmune Disease - Prevent, Cure It Naturally

Feline autoimmune disease, just as in people and other animals, is a serious problem which is on the rise. An autoimmune disease is one where antibodies or lymphocytes (white blood cells) are created which work against the body.

Another way of putting it is that your cat's immune system has deteriorated to such an extent that now it is destroying itself. This doesn't happen over night. It takes years.

Now for the unpleasant news. You are creating this condition in your cat, by the choices you impose on her. Not deliberately. But because you are being advised by people you trust, but who are misguided themselves. Let's examine this rather bold statement.

Antibodies are only created when the immune system is not able to prevent entry of a pathogen. Contrary to popular belief, they are not a good sign. They are a sign that all the other, more subtle, ways of defending the body against pathogen invasion have failed.

As a last ditch effort to make something out of the experience, your cat's immune system develops antibodies, so at least she has some protection the next time it happens.

The production of white blood cells is a sign your cat's body feels under attack. They are produced when your cat eats something unnatural and when your cat has an infection. They are also produced after a vaccine.

The cause of feline autoimmune disease is clear when you consider how far removed domestic cats are from their natural environment and lifestyle. It's a wonder that not all cats are suffering with this problem.

The best way to reverse this process is to start treating your cat more akin to her evolutionary past. Although this can't be completely implemented within the human world, the important areas can be. There are three important areas.

Feed your cat a quality, natural diet.

Use natural medicines for all her health needs. Homeopathy in particular is fast, natural and effective and works as well on animals as it does on people.

Allow your cat regular time outside in nature (safely), to roll in the earth, to eat grass, to feed the energy of the earth through her feet, to feel the sun on her skin.

These measures may need to be put in place gradually, so that you can both adapt more easily. But once you start down that road, there is every chance that you can reverse any health problem, as long as it is not so far advanced as to be irreversible. You'll never know if this is the case until you give your cat the best chance.

Don't be phased by the serious nature of feline autoimmune diseases, or by your vet's grim prognosis. Unless you try, you will never know.

Learn more about keeping your cat healthy the natural, and economical, way, by clicking on the link below.

How To Help Your Cat Lose Weight in 8 Steps

Is your pet a gourmet, and is eating one of its favorite things in life?

Is it also fat and you don't know how to help your cat lose weight? If the answer is yes, I'm going to give you some important guidelines and recommendations; but first I want to tell you how to determine whether your cat is fat or not and why you must keep it sleek and healthy.

Ideal weight.

Usually depends on the breed, but it is generally between 8 and 11 pounds. Some breeds, such as Ragdoll and Maine Coon, are pretty heavy, weighing up to 13 pounds. If your cat is 15% heavier than average, it's overweight, and if it's 30% heavier than average, it's officially a fat cat.

How to determine if your cat is fat.

Cats at optimal weight don't have flabby bellies and you have to be able to feel their ribs when petting them. If you can't do that, maybe it's time to start thinking that your cat has weight problems. Some of the causes of this problem are: spaying or neutering (hormonal problems); indoor life and lack of exercise; food indulgence and even some behavior disorders, such as stress.

Why is it dangerous for a cat to be fat?

There is a long list of hazards, such as: a reduction in physical activity, shorter life expectancy, predisposition to diseases such as joint, respiratory, cardiac, circulatory, hepatic and reproductive diseases and metabolic disorders such as diabetes, cancer, and others.

8 Steps to take:

Step 1: Comparing your cat's ideal weight to its actual one. If your pet gets too anxious when putting it on the scale, you can weigh yourself first, write down the number, and then take your cat in your arms and weigh yourself and your pet together. Calculate by subtracting your weight from the weight of you and the cat together.

Step 2: Applying a specific diet. The ideal combination is 70% dry and 30% moist food. There are good diet pet foods on the market. It's critical for your cat's health to choose a good brand of food, because some brands contain a lot of salt or fat, which increase the risk of your cat developing health problems.

Step 3: Decreasing food intake slowly. You have to reduce rations slowly and never drastically, because just like people, if they stop eating suddenly, whatever they eat after that makes them gain even more weight. Let's say your cat eats 200 grs. of dry food daily. Reduce the amount by just 50 grs per day to 150 grs. Give it this amount for the first week until it gets used to it, and then reduce the amount by another 50 grs to 100 grs. Depending on the brand, the ideal portion is between 60 grs and 90 grs per day. If you feel sorry for your cat eating just once a day, distribute this amount in 2 or 3 portions at different times daily.

Step 4: Monitoring intake by weighing the daily ration. It's important to measure the amount of food, especially if you are trying to reduce intake. If you are not at home, the best way to monitor daily intake is through a good automatic cat food dispenser. Automatic cat food dispensers are a great solution for people who work all day and need to monitor their cat's daily food intake by setting a feeding schedule and portions.

Step 5: Introducing activity at feeding time. If you have time, when it's time to feed your cat:

Walk around the house with food in your hands, and make your cat follow you.

Put a little food on a chair, making your cat jump on the chair to eat it.

Put some food on the floor and repeat the procedure several times (if your cat cannot jump, that's OK, just make it walk by putting food in different parts of the house, and even further so you make it run).

Note: be careful not to make your cat run or walk too much the first few days because it could be dangerous. Make the process slow initially and increase the rhythm little by little over time.

If you are a busy person and don't have much time, you can exercise your cat when you get home and on weekends. If you are not home during the day, excellent toy food dispensers are available for making your cat play and eat at the same time.

Step 6: Creating a game plan schedule with interactive toys such as feather dusters, reeds or lasers (a few minutes several times a day is better than a long session on weekends). It is very important for you to play with your cat, as that will encourage it to keep playing and moving. You can use something as simple as a piece of string, but if you like spoiling your pet, you can find several good toys for this purpose. This is a perfect way to relieve your cat's built up anxieties.

Step 7: Absolutely avoid diet "extras."

Step 8: Regular weight control checks. The best procedure is to weigh your cat and record its weight and the date every two weeks, checking for changes and progress.

Your cat will be grateful, more beautiful and healthier. Good luck!

Foods to Avoid Giving Your Pet!

Your cat is an important part of your family, so it's definitely natural to include him in family festivities and celebrations. As in any get-together, food and drink are the center of attention and the focal points, but try to avoid indulging your cat in table foods. It may seem harmless to share food with your cat, but many common foods can be dangerous for your cat.

Fatty foods:

Rich or fatty foods can cause digestive stress for your cat. For example, turkey, ham or other meats rich in fat will result in diarrhea. Large amounts of fat digested may lead to a life-threatening inflammatory disease called feline pancreatitis. The calling signs of pancreatitis can include vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and a loss of appetite. If you must feed your feline meats, satiate his hunger by giving him turkey-flavored cat food.

Bones:

Any bones from meat, fish and poultry can be a potential danger to your kitty and should be avoided at all costs. If your cat decides to pull a bone from your waste basket, or from the table or counter his digestive tract could be severely damaged. A bone can cause laceration or obstruction within your kitty's digestive system.

Onion and garlic:

You may also be tempted to give your kitten baby food. This may contain onion powder, which is highly toxic for your cat. Any type of onion or garlic, raw, cooked or in powder form can damage your kitten's red blood cells and cause life-threatening anemia. Another hiding spot for onion and garlic can be stews, soups and sauces.

Undercooked meat:

In rare cases, raw or undercooked meat may contain bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. Also, keep your cat away from moldy or spoiled foods, which can contain toxins, that cause tremors, shaking, seizures, diarrhea and vomiting.

Some nuts:

Most nuts, including macadamia nuts contain an unknown toxin, which can affect your cat's digestive and nervous systems. Nuts have also been known to cause muscular weakness and tremors in dogs as well. Many researchers believe that macadamia nuts can have the same effect on your cat.

Chocolate, raisins and grapes:

Unlike dogs, most cats are not drawn to sweets. Even so, take note: a chocolate snack can cause increased heart rate, tremors and hyperactivity in your cat. The severity of the reaction depends on the type of chocolate and how much is eaten. Dark baking chocolate will cause a more severe reaction than milk chocolate. Also, raisins and grapes have been proven to induce kidney failure in dogs. There have been reports of similar effects on cats, so it is wise to avoid letting your cat ingest these fruits.

Cow's milk:

We all picture pouring our beloved kitten a fresh, cold saucer of milk. Unlikely as it may seem, milk is a no-no for your cat. Shortly after they're weaned, kittens lose the ability to digest milk. More than a few of licks could translate into a very messy episode of diarrhea. If your kitten has a taste for milk, specially formulated lactose-free milk products are available for cats which should satisfy his craving.

The most important thing you can do for your cat is to ensure that he receives the nutrition and care that he needs. If you remember the things to avoid giving your cat, as well the things he needs to thrive, your cat will have a long, happy and healthy life as member of your family.

Diabetic Cat Profile

Diabetes can be controlled and the prognosis for a managed diabetic cat is very good. Typically, diabetes is a problem of middle aged and older cats. Male cats get the disease about twice as often as females... and the usual feline diabetes patient is overweight. However, unchecked diabetes will cause weight loss over time.

Weight loss results from the diabetic cat's inability to manufacture or respond properly to insulin... the hormone that allows body cells to take in blood sugar (glucose) from their food. The hormone insulin is produced by beta cells within the cat's pancreas. Instead of supplying energy to the cells, glucose builds up in the blood. This is called hypoglycemia. Unchecked, it spills out into the urine and this is called glucosuria. Glucose in the urine causes excessive urination (polyuria) and the cat experiences a tremendous thirst which is called polydipsia. Also, because diabetic cats can't use the energy they are ingesting via their food intake, they develop an insatiable hunger which is called polyphagia.

Unfortunately, many cat owners won't notice these signs and usually they finally take the cat to the vet because of either the weight loss becoming extremely visible or the cat urinates outside the litter box which is assumed to be a behavioral issue. It is even more difficult to notice the symptoms if the cat is usually outdoors and the back yard is their litter box so the weight loss is then the compelling reason for the vet visit.

The vet will measure the glucose level in your cat's blood and urine. He will also check for other diseases that could possibly be the culprit. However, even if your cat does have high blood sugar, it doesn't necessarily mean diabetes is present. It is not unusual for animals under stress or on medication to develop a temporary elevation of blood glucose and this condition is called transient hyperglycemia. Often, the vet will suggest running the tests again in a couple of days.

Another thing to keep in mind is that there are different categories of diabetes. Cats with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus require daily insulin injections because they are unable to produce sufficient insulin while cats with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus are able to produce their own insulin but they don't respond to insulin as well as they should... this is called insulin resistance. These cats may do well with only dietary management and oral hypoglycemic agents which are drugs that stimulate the body's own production of insulin.

Your vet will determine by the tests which category your cat falls into. Unfortunately, a high percentage of feline diabetes patients have persistent and pronounced hyperglycemia and require insulin. Your vet will have to work out the regimen and usually will do a glucose curve. This involves several measurements of the important levels of a cat's blood glucose over the course of 12 to 24 hours and the cat may have to stay at the clinic overnight. Balancing the dosage is critical because an insulin overdose can lead to life-threatening hypoglycemic shock.

So to be safe, always make sure your cat is interested in food before you administer insulin. You also have to keep track of injections so you don't give your cat a double dose. If you have doubts it is better to give no insulin than too much. In the event a cat gets too much insulin and acts sluggish, appears to be having a seizure or is unconscious... it is mandatory that you raise its blood-glucose level immediately. If you are able to get your pet to eat... do so. But if your cat is unable to eat then dip your finger in Karo syrup (or maple syrup in a pinch) and spread it on your cat's gums. The gums will absorb some of the sugar which will help bring your cat out of shock. Once your cat is responding get it to the vet immediately.

But, daily insulin injections aren't as hard to administer as you might think. The needles are very small and as long as you reward your cat with something it enjoys like extra playtime or lots of hugs, you may find that it's preferable than trying to give a pill. You have to remain alert to changes in your cat because insulin requirements may shift. Too little insulin will result in excessive eating, drinking and urination while too much insulin results in lethargy, lack of coordination and vocalizing.

Diabetic cats must eat regularly to guard against insulin overdoses, but owners also need to control food intake so the cat doesn't become obese. Vets usually recommend you feed the cat its daily food allotment in two or three portions per day. Some diabetic cats benefit from special diets rich in fiber because fiber slows down digestion which in turn prevents sudden spikes of blood glucose. High-fiber foods can also help obese cats lose weight... which in itself can decrease the need for insulin in some cats. However, always consult your vet before making any diet changes because if a diabetic cat finds the new food unpalatable, it may eat less which will throw its blood glucose out of whack.

Managing a diabetic cat properly can allow the cat to live a full and happy life. But, it does take careful tending and being alert to the dangers of insulin overdoses. Keeping a diabetic cat indoors is also a benefit because you can observe changes in its habits and know it hasn't eaten a small mouse or other small critter.